Display device



April 26 1927. 1,626,037

N. 5. Hour DISPLAY DEVICE Filed'llarch 17. 1926 ATTOKA/Y- Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES NORRIS B. HOLT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

DISPLAY DEVICE.

Application filed March 17, 1926.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in display devices, and particularly to a display device of the illuminated fountain type, the predominant object of the invention being to produce a display device of the type described which will function in a manner to produce a beautiful ocular effect.

The display device disclosed herein is intended, particularly, for use in hotel-lobbies and other places where it is desired to add beauty to the surroundings, and also in display windows and stores where it isdesired to attract attention'to the location of the display device. Briefly stated, the invention comprises the combination and arrangement of elements whereby rays of light emanating from a light source are directed through an optical prism, or similar element, whereby a chromatic spectrum is produced. The light source and prism are arranged so that the spectrum is directed against a stream of fluid, for instance, water, and the colored rays of light are reflected against the stream of fluid, with the result that a very beautiful rainbow-like effect is obtained.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a device arranged in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 Figure 1;

Figure Figure 1;

Figure 5 Figure 1.

In the drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention, A designatesmy improved device which comprises a fluidcon'ducting pipe 1, from which a stream of fluid B, for instance, water, is discharged. It will be noted that the stream of fluid B is shown in the drawing as being projected upwardly in an approximately vertical direction, and this is the preferred arrangement. However, it is to be understood that it is not absolutely essential that the stream of fluid be so directed.

Arranged immediately below the discharge end of the pipe 1 is a basin 2, into which the fluid of the stream B falls after being projected upwardly, and 3 designates a drain pipeassociated with said basin 2 whereby fluid may be drained therefrom.

is a cross-section on line-3-3 of 4 is a cross-section on line -44 of is a cross-section on l1ne 55 of Serial No. 95,211.

By referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the basin 2 is provided with an annular flange 4, and supported by said annular flange is a case orhousing 5, preferably formed of glass or other transparent 6o material. The case 5 is preferably, though not -necessarily, cylindrical in cross-section, and is provided with aflat top wall. 6 designates a plurality of tie-rods which extend through the annular basin flange la-and through a suitable frame 7, which rests upon the top wall of the case 5, as shown in Figure 1, said tie-rods being provided with nuts 8 at their lower ends, whereby the frame 7 and the case 5 may be drawn toward the basin 2 to securely fix said elements to said basin.

Located in the upper portion of the case 5 is an irregularly shaped housing 9, said housing being supported by suitable brackets 10, suspended from the top wall of the case 5, as shown in Figure 1. The housing 9 is adjustable with respect to the brackets 10, said housing being provided with oppositely disposed pins 11 rigidly fixed thereto, which pins pass through apertures in the brackets 10 whereby said housing is pivotally supported by said brackets. One of the pins 11 has a hand-wheel 12 rigidly fixed to it, as shown in Figure 5, and the opposite pin 11 8 is provided with screwthreadsrand is adapted to receive a hand wheel 13 having a threaded aperture. When it is desired to adjust the housing 9, the hand-wheel 13 is rotated on the threaded portion of the pin 11 on which it is mounted, so as to move the inner face of said hand-wheel in a direction away from the adjacent bracket 10. The hand-wheel 12 may then be rotated, and because the housing 9 is movable with said hand-wheel, said housing may be adjusted. When the housing 9 has been moved to the desired position, the hand-wheel 13 may be moved into close frictional contact with the adjacent bracket 10, thus locking the housing in place.

Arranged within the housing 9, preferably attheupper end thereof, is alight source, said light source being of such type that a point of light is produced thereby. The light source shown in the drawing is an electric light bulb 14, which is suitably supported by the housing 9, and said bulb is provided with electrical conductors 15 by which electrical energy is conducted to said 11a bulb. Located within the housing 9 is a lens 16, said lens being spaced apart from the light source 14% in a direction longitudinally of the housing. The lens 16 is of the type known as a plus lens, and is adapted to convert rays of light which pass therethrough from the light source from divergent to parallel rays. The lens 16 may be retained in place in any suitable manner; for instance, the housing 9 may be slotted as shown in Figure l and the lens may be passed through said slot and be held in its proper position by suitably arranged lugs. While I have shown the lens 16 as a part of the means for producing rays of light of diflerent colors illustrated in the drawing, said lens, as stated above, is employed only to convert divergent rays of light to parallel rays of light; hence when the light source is such that parallel rays of light are produced or when the lens is not necessary for other reasons, said lens may be dispensed with.

The end of the housing 9 opposite to the end thereof at which the light source 1 1 is located is open, as shown in Figure 1, and arranged within the housing at said open end is an optical prism 17. The optical prism 17 is adjustable with respect to the housing 9, and to provide for this adjustment, 1 arrange caps 18 at the opposite ends of said prism, which caps are provided with pins 19 arranged to extend through openings in the opposite walls of the housing 9. The caps 18 are shaped to correspond to the crosssectional shape of the prism 17, said caps having inwardly extended flanges which engage the opposite end portions of the prism, whereby said caps and said prism will move as a unit. The pins 19 are rigidly fixed to the caps 18, and rigidly secured to one of said pins is a hand-wheel 20. The pin 19 opposite to the pin just referred to is pro vided with screwthreads, and screwed on the threaded portion of said pin is a handwheel 21 provided with a threaded opening. When it is desired to adjust the optical prism 19, the hand-wheel 21 is rotated on the threaded portion of the pin on which it is mounted in a direction to move the inner face of said hand-wheel away from the wall of the housing 9. The hand-wheel 20 may then be rotated to adjust the prism 17, and after said prism has been moved to the desired position, the hand-wheel 21 may be screwed into close frictional contact with the wall of the housing 9, whereby the prism will be rigidly held in position. To provide for the adjustment of the housing 9 and of the optical prism 17 from the outside of the case 5, I provide said case 5 with conveniently located hand-holes (not shown).

In the operation 01": my improved display device, rays of light emanating from the light source 1a pass through the lens 16 and are converted into parallel rays, as shown in Figure 1, and these parallel rays pass through the optical prism 17 whereby a spectrum S is produced. The spectrum S, which is projected in a direction approximately in alinement with the vertical axis of the stream of fluid B, is, of course, composed of a number of beautiful rays or bands of light, and this colored light falling upon the stream of water results in a very beautiful eflect. The ocular efl'ect produced by the device is greatly enhanced in beauty by the arrangement of a suitable member 22 having a mirrored surface at the base of the stream of fluid, as shown in Figure 1. With the member 22 in place as described, the spectrum S falling upon the stream of fluid from above will beautifully illuminate the fluid, and in addition to this, the colors of the spectrum will be reflected against the stream of fluid by the mirrored face of the member 22, so that a very beautiful rainbowlilre effect is obtained.

By providing for the adjustment of the housing 9 and of the optical prism 17 different colored effects may be obtained where the spectrum falls upon the stream of fluid, as, by adjusting said parts, the predominant color on the stream of fluid may be selected.

Throughout the specification and claims of this application, I have referred to an optical prism, and I desire that this term he understood to mean any element which will subject the rays of a beam of light pass ing through said element to dispersion, so that its rays are arranged in a series in the order of their wave lengths, whereby a spectrum is produced.

I claim:

1. A display device comprising a stream of fluid, means whereby rays of light of different colors are simultaneously directed against and through said stream of fluid, and a reflector positioned to reflect said colored rays of light against said stream of fluid, said stream of fluid being interposed between said means for producing rays of light and said reflector.

2. A display device comprising a vertically projected stream of fluid, means whereby rays of light of different colors are simultaneously directed against said stream of fluid, said means being so arranged with respect to said stream of fluid that the colored rays of light are in approximate alinement with the vertical axis of said stream of fluid, and a reflector positioned to reflect the colored rays of light against the stream of fluid, said stream of fluid being interposed between said means for producing rays of light and said reflector.

3. A display device comprising a vertically projected stream of fluid, means whereby rays of light of diflerent colors are simultaneously directed against said stream of fluid, said means comprising an adjustable housing, a light source within said adjustable housing, an optical prism within and adjustable with respect to said housing, and a lens interposed between said light source and said optical prism, the last-mentioned means being so arranged that the colored rays of light are in approximate alinement with the longitudinal axis of the stream of fluid, and a reflector positioned to reflect the colored rays of light against the stream of fluid, said vertically projected stream of fluid being interposed between said means for producing rays of light and said reflector.

4. A. display device comprising a body of fluid, means includin a light source whereby a spectrum is pro uced which is directed against said body of fluid, and a reflector positioned to reflect the colors of said spectrum against said body of fluid, said body of fluid being interposed between said light source and said reflector.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

NORRIS B. HOLT. 

